PHOENIX (Oct. 12, 2023) – This year, from Oct. 20-29, shoppers will once again have the opportunity to shop, save, and give by participating in The Board of Visitors Care Card program. By purchasing a Care Card online for $60, shoppers receive a 20% discount at hundreds of local retailers and restaurants during the 10-day shopping period. 100% of card sales go to this year’s nonprofit beneficiary, The Big Pink Bus, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s new 3D Mobile Mammography unit that will hit the road in January 2024.
The Big Pink Bus represents a significant step toward increasing access to life-saving breast cancer screenings, particularly for women in outlying and underserved communities. Mammograms have proven to reduce breast cancer deaths by 40%, making early detection essential to saving lives.
One-third of women with health insurance and more than two-thirds of those without health insurance do not get regular mammograms, often citing personal and professional obligations, the long distance to an imaging site, or lack of transportation as reasons. The Big Pink Bus will be a fully outfitted coach that brings 3D mammography—the gold standard in screening—to women where they are. 3D mammography offers greater accuracy, reducing false alarms, finding more cancers than conventional mammography, and detecting invasive cancers sooner.
Women whose mammograms detect cancer will have access to Banner MD Anderson’s Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Program that leverages integrated care across several specialties, using the latest technologies, treatments, and research. Additionally, throughout the cancer journey, patients are part of the Breast Cancer Navigation Program, where compassionate patient coordinators help guide them through the treatment process and ensure they are well-informed and supported.
“The staggering truth is that one in eight women will be affected by breast cancer. Since The Board of Visitors is the oldest women’s charitable organization in Arizona, and many of us have been personally affected by breast cancer or know those who have, The Big Pink Bus was a natural and fitting choice,” says Shannon Goldwater, who serves as Chair of the 2023 Care Card program. “Buying a Care Card truly helps save lives and supports the generosity of our participating retailers, restaurants and sponsors. It is a win-win for our community and the 10 best days to shop and dine all year!”
Over the past 23 years, the Care Card has become Arizona’s largest retail fundraiser, generating nearly $4 million for local charities supporting health care for women, children, and the elderly. Year after year, participating retailers have included popular national chain stores, locally owned boutiques, salons, fitness studios, and restaurants. Click here for a full list of participating retailers.
Purchase a Care Card today by visiting www.thecarecard.org.
About The Board of Visitors
Established in 1908, The Board of Visitors is the oldest women’s charitable organization in Arizona. Since its inception, The Board of Visitors has granted over $25 million to more than 100 community nonprofits that serve the healthcare needs of women, children and the elderly. For more information, please visit www.boardofvisitors.org.
About Banner Health Foundation
Established in 2001, the Banner Health Foundation engages the community and stewards charitable contributions to advance Banner Health’s nonprofit mission of making health care easier so life can be better. Contributions are invested locally to support patient care programs and services operated by Banner’s many hospitals and health care facilities across Arizona. For more information, visit www.bannerhealthfoundation.org.
About Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center delivers cancer care to patients through the partnership of Banner Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner MD Anderson offers focused disease-specific expertise in the medical, radiation and surgical management of the cancer patient; an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to patient care; access to clinical trials and new investigative therapies; state-of-the-art technology for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of all types of cancer; oncology expertise in supportive care services. For more information, visit www.BannerMDAnderson.com.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]